Apparatus and a method for the preparation of a play, craft and/or toy compound

ABSTRACT

There is provided an apparatus and a method for producing a play compound and the play compound itself which, in one embodiment is a compound which sufficiently fluid to be pliable and is typically cold and slimy to the touch. The apparatus and a method provide a powder and liquid to a user, which can be a non-skilled person and thereby allow the mixing of the powder and liquid together by that person to form the play compound outside of a factory environment whilst ensuring that the play compound which is formed has the desired characteristics. Most typically the user which performs the mixing can be the end user, such as a child, who will play with the compound and so the formation of the play compound forms a new part of the play experience.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/929,689, filed May 15, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/285,531, filed Feb.26, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,654,016, issued May 19, 2020, which is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/650,111,filed Jul. 14, 2017, which claims priority to British Patent ApplicationNo. 1706076.5, filed Apr. 18, 2017. These patent applications are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety, including withoutlimitation, the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as anyfigures, tables, appendices, or drawings thereof.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

NAMES OF PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention to which this application relates is apparatus and amethod for the manufacture and preparation of a compound which cansubsequently be used in a play and/or craft environment and as a toy andused independently or in conjunction with other toys and/or apparatus.

In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the compound towhich the application relates is a material of the type for use in playand/or crafts, and is hereoninreferred to in a non-limiting manner as aplay compound. The play compounds of this type conventionally include across-linked polymer, such as an adhesive, such as white glue, and whichis manufactured under factory conditions by combining polyvinyl alcoholsolutions with borate ions. The compound can be odourless or aparticular odour can be added to the same and the compound, which isliquid or at least semi fluid, can be formed of a particular colour andis cold and slimy to the touch. The compound can also be referred to asa non-Newtonian fluid in that the viscosity of the fluid can be affectedby factors other than temperature, such as, for example, by theapplication of a shear stress caused by any of squeezing, stirring,agitating or applying mechanical pressure to the compound. One form ofthis compound is sold under the registered Trade Mark Slime owned byViacom.

While it is known to be able to form other similar types of compound inthe home rather than the factory environment, these compounds can bedifficult to make, can require a relatively long list of ingredientsand/or ingredients such as Borate which are difficult to obtain, atleast in certain countries and, most often, do not lead to theproduction of a compound which acts in the same manner as the factorymade versions of the compound and, as such, it is found that thecompound, once made, is generally unsatisfactory in terms of itsperformance in comparison with the factory made versions.

However, despite the advantages of using factory made compositions,there are problems with the same in terms of the expense of purchasingthe same and the feeling of detachment of the child in that they havenot been able to take part in the making of the compound.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus and amethod for making a play compound of a type which, once formed, hassimilar qualities of use as an equivalent type of compound which is madeunder factory conditions, whilst the apparatus allows the compound to bemade by a person in their home environment. A further aim is to providethe ingredients required to make the compound in a manner which allowsthe same to be used in the manufacture of the compound in a manner whichcan be used by children and in a safe manner. A further aim is toprovide the ingredients in a form which allows a play compound to beformed in a factory or home environment and have predeterminedcharacteristics.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus to aidthe formation of a play compound, said apparatus including a base, acavity and mixing means which, when operated, cause agitation andmixture of the play compound components and a liquid located in thecavity, to form the play compound.

In one embodiment the apparatus base includes the cavity or receives anitem in which the cavity is formed and the mixing means include an armwhich is movable with respect to the base. In one embodiment the arm isrotatable.

In one embodiment the arm includes at least one, or a number of portionswhich are located with respect to the cavity so as to cause anagitating, and hence mixing, effect on the liquid and components whichare located in the cavity at that time. In one embodiment the saidcomponents are provided in a powder form which is premixed and a liquidis also present in the cavity to be mixed with the powder.

In one embodiment the said arm includes one or more ports through whichthe powder can be poured to introduce the same for mixing with theliquid in the base. In one embodiment the powder is introduced as thearm is moved.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more capsules into whichthe formed play compound can be placed and stored prior to subsequentuse.

In one embodiment the powder is provided in a predetermined quantitysuch that when the user adds the full quantity to a predeterminedquantity of water then they can be confident that a play compound withpredetermined characteristics will be formed.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a plurality of different powdertypes which can be selectively used alone or in combination to form aparticular play compound. In one embodiment the powders may differ interms of any or any combination of colour, consistency, ingredients,additional components such as glitter, and the like.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for usein the formation of a play compound by mixing a powder and water, saidapparatus including a base, a cavity included in, or received by, thebase in which the powder and liquid are mixed and wherein a mixing meansis provided in a form such that relative rotational movement of the baseand at least an arm of the mixing means causes agitation and mixing ofthe powder and liquid together to form the play compound.

In one embodiment the said relative movement is caused by theapplication of a manual movement force on a handle of the mixing meanslocated externally of the cavity. Alternatively a powered movement meanscan be provided.

Typically the handle extends through an aperture in a lid and into thecavity to perform the mixing and the lid prevents spillage of the liquidand/or powder as the same are mixed to form the play compound.

Typically the lid is selectively removable from the cavity to allowaccess to be gained to introduce the liquid and powder and/or remove theformed play compound.

In one embodiment the movement means are provided as an arm which isrotatably movable with respect to the base about a substantially centralaxis of the cavity.

In one embodiment the arm includes at least one portion which is locatedwith respect to the base so as to cause an agitating, and hence mixing,effect on the liquid and ingredients which are located in the base atthat time. In one embodiment the said ingredients are provided in apowder form which is premixed.

In one embodiment the said arm includes one or more ports through whichthe powder can be poured to introduce the same for mixing with theliquid in the base. In one embodiment the powder is introduced as thearm is moved and thereby allows the powder to be introduced to theliquid in a manner which reduces the risk of lumping.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more capsules into whichthe formed play compound can be placed and stored prior to subsequentuse.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes containers for a plurality ofdifferent powder types which can be selectively used, alone or incombination, to form a particular play compound. In one embodiment thepowders may differ in terms of any, or any combination of colour,consistency, ingredients, additional components such as glitter, and thelike.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a play compoundsaid play compound formed by adding a powder with a liquid into a cavityof a container, said powder including a plurality of components requiredto form the play compound and mixing the powder and liquid for a periodof time sufficient to cause the play compound to be formed.

In one embodiment the mixing is performed by a person grasping andmoving, typically by shaking, the container.

In another embodiment the mixing is performed by a person operatingmixing means.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for themanufacture of a play compound which is pliable in use, said methodcomprising the steps of adding a quantity of a powder composition to aliquid in a cavity, and applying an agitating force to cause the mixingof the powder and liquid for a period of time so as to cause the saidplay compound to be formed.

In one embodiment the powder is formed under factory conditions toinclude the ingredients which are required in predefined percentages andthe powder is then provided to a person to be used in conjunction withthe liquid.

In one embodiment the liquid is water.

In one embodiment the user is provided with instructions relating to theratio of the powder to water in the mixture. In one embodiment a rangeof ratios are provided and the person can select which ratio to use atthe time of manufacture.

In one embodiment a specific mixing container is provided and thecontainer has marked thereon one or more levels which indicate thequantity of liquid and/or powder which should be poured into thecontainer in order to form a suitable play compound with specificcharacteristics.

In one embodiment each ratio is linked to a particular composition ofthe play compound which will be formed. For example, if there is agreater quantity of powder added to an amount of liquid, then the playcompound will have greater viscosity and/or other characteristic and ifa smaller quantity of powder is added to the amount of liquid the playcompound will have a lower viscosity and/or other characteristic.

In one embodiment each of the compounds is linked to a particularidentifiable type or characteristic of play compound such as, clay,dough, rubber, certain resins, sand, gel, slimy substance and/or otherart/craft compound.

In one embodiment the specific ingredients contained within the compoundare provided in a set percentage level under factory conditions andconverted into a powder under factory conditions such that the user isonly required at the time of making the compound to add the suppliedpowder to water in a ratio which is predetermined in order to make theplay compound with the user selected characteristics.

In one embodiment the powder contains a combination of the followingingredients Gum, such as Guar gum, Borax, a suitable colour pigment orcombination of colour pigments, starch, a phosphate such as SodiumHydrogen phosphate, an ethanol, and an acetate such as Sodiumdehydroacetate.

In one embodiment Borax or a borate is not included.

In one embodiment a further component includes one or more colourpigments and/or other components to provide a visual or tactile effect.

It should also be appreciated that although the method as hereindescribed is particularly suited to allowing the play compound to beeffectively formed by an end user, without the need of factory scaleapparatus, the method can be used to advantage with all of the stepsbeing performed under factory conditions for the large volumemanufacture of the play compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with thereference to the accompanying diagrams; wherein

FIGS. 1 a-c illustrate a play compound in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIGS. 2 a-c illustrate one embodiment of the method of formation of aplay compound in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3 a-d illustrate features of an embodiment of apparatus for use informing the play compound in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 a-c there is illustrated a play compound 2in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The play compound isshown being manipulated by a user's hands 4,6 to take selected formssuch as a stretch form 8 shown in FIGS. 1 a and c and a ball form 8shown in FIG. 1 b and it will be appreciated that the compound, oncemoved into a particular shape has tendency to stay in that shape untilfurther manipulated by the user. It is found that this type of compound,and the manipulation of the same can provide entertainment for manyhours to children and therefore is a popular plaything.

FIGS. 2 a-c illustrate one embodiment of the method of forming the playcompound 2 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment acontainer in the form of a jar 12 is provided and into the jar is poureda quantity of water 14. Also poured into the jar is a quantity of apremixed powder 16 which includes the ingredients required, and thepercentages which are required, in order to form the play compound 2. Asshown in

FIG. 2 a the powder initially lies on top of the water 14. When thepowder and water are located in the jar, the lid 18 is placed on theopening in the jar to seal the same and the jar is then shaken so as tocause the water and powder to mix. The shaking and mixing is performedfor a period of time and after this the powder and liquid have mixed asshown in FIG. 2 b . The jar may be provided with markings thereon whichhave one or more levels marked on the same which indicate the quantityof liquid and/or powder which should be poured into the container inorder to form a suitable play compound with specific characteristicswhen the powder and liquid are mixed together in the jar.

In addition to the mixing, the mixture has also changed condition intothe consistency of the play compound which is illustrated in FIG. 2 cbeing pulled out of the jar by the persons finger of their hand 6. Oncein the consistency then the same can be manipulated as illustrated inFIGS. 1 a -c.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 a-d there is illustrated apparatus in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention which can be used to form the playcompound. It is envisaged that the apparatus 20 will be provided alongwith one or more containers 22 of the powder as part of a retail pack24, an example of which is shown in FIG. 3 a.

FIGS. 3 b and d illustrate two forms of the apparatus 20 in greaterdetail. It will be seen that the apparatus includes a base 26 with ahandle 28 which allows the same to be gripped by the hand 4 during use.The base is provided in the form of a bowl in which the powder and wateris added and subsequently the play compound 2 is formed. A mixing meansin the form of an arm 30 which is provided with a handle 32 to begripped by the user's other hand 6. The arm is attached to the base andprovided to be rotatable as indicated by arrows 34, 36 about an axis 38provided centrally of the base 26. The arm has depending downwardly fromthe same and towards the base, a series of mixing members 40 whichdepend into the powder and water and serve to mix the same together asthe arm is rotated.

The arm is also provided with one or more ports or cavities 42 whichallow the pouring of the powder through the same and into the bowl andports or cavities 44 which allow the pouring of the water through thesame and into the bowl. These allow the powder and water to beintroduced into the bowl in a measured and spread manner and therebyreduce the tendency of the powder and water to form lumps during themixing process.

Once the arm has been rotated for a sufficient time as to cause the playcompound to be created from the powder and water the same can be removedfrom the base, in one embodiment using a funnel 46 as shown in FIG. 3 cand poured into one or more capsules 48 which are typically formed oftwo parts 50, 52 and once the capsule has been filled with sufficient ofthe play compound the parts 50, 52 are sealed to thereby enclose theplay compound 2 in the same and hence maintain the consistency of theplay compound until it is desired to be used for play.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus can take any suitable formand may in one embodiment be shaped to match an animal, cartooncharacter or other format.

There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention apparatusand a method for producing a play compound which allows the playcompound to be made by a non-skilled person and outside of a factoryenvironment whilst ensuring that the play compound which is formed hasthe desired characteristics.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of processing play compoundcomponents into a play compound comprising: providing a child-safepowder comprising ingredients including at least an acetate, aphosphate, or a combination thereof; forming a play compound from amixture comprising the powder, a gum, and a liquid; and agitating themixture within a cavity of a container and/or with a machine.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising providing said ingredients underfactory conditions in predefined percentages.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the mixture further comprises a salt.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the salt is a hydrated borate of sodium.
 5. The method of claim1 wherein the mixture further comprises a starch.
 6. The method of claim1 wherein the gum is a guar gum.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein theliquid is water.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the powder furthercomprises an ethanol.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the play compoundis agitated with an apparatus comprising: a base including or receivingthereon the container; and an arm which, when operated, rotates about anaxis located on a center axis of the cavity.
 10. The method according toclaim 1 further comprising storing the play compound in a pliable form.11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising manipulating theplay compound into a stretch form or a ball form.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the user is provided with a range of ratiosfor mixing the powder and the liquid and the user selects which ratio touse at the time of mixing to thereby select the consistency of the playcompound which is formed.
 13. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe quantity of the powder and the quantity of the liquid which are usedare selected with respect to indicators marked on the container.
 14. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the acetate, phosphate, or acombination thereof comprises Sodium Hydrogen Phosphate.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the acetate, phosphate, or a combinationthereof comprises sodium dehydroacetate.
 16. The method according toclaim 6 further comprising encouraging a user to manipulate the playcompound into a stretch form or a ball form.
 17. A method of allowingenhancement of a play compound: providing a child-safe powder comprisingingredients including at least an acetate, a phosphate, or a combinationthereof; forming a play compound from a mixture comprising the powder, agum, and a liquid; agitating the mixture until the play compound isformed; and after the play compound is formed, allowing enhancement ofthe play compound through a selective addition of an additional playcompound component that provides a visual and/or tactile effect.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the additional play compound component thatprovides a visual and/or tactile effect is a color pigment orcombination of color pigments.